CRUSH 2009 BEGAN TODAY AT ST. FRANCIS WINERY

Our first September Harvest since 2006 began early today when 20 tons of hand-picked Sonoma Valley Chardonnay arrived to applause at our inspection platform.  The golden-green grapes were sweet (23° Brix), plump, and cold to the touch at 57° Fahrenheit—a good start for crushing.  Within moments, the Crush Pad was alive with people and bustling energy and the sights and smells of grapes.

Despite a cool summer, a recent warm spell has kick-started ripeness so that early ripening varietals like Chardonnay are ready to pick.  That cool summer allowed us to delay irrigation.  We have, by design, watered later and less than in recent vintages, which should positively impact flavor concentration and wine quality.  Recent warm days continue to accelerate ripening, balancing phenolic, acid and sugar ripeness.  The likely result will be good balance between flavor and alcohol in 2009 vintage wines. 

The daily vineyard planning visits that are part of our Grower Report Card program have helped yield rich, abundant flavors and good acidity.  Early indications show an average size crop—with far fewer ’08 vintage challenges like heat, hail, frost and smoke.  Consistent temperatures point to more even ripening this year, especially for Zinfandel (often notorious for uneven ripeness, this year’s Zin crop is remarkably uniform in both color and richness).  Indeed, this growing season is notable so far for its lack of heat spikes, choppy weather patterns, or excessive fog—each of which can stagger or otherwise impede ripeness and concentration.

On the eve of Harvest after dark last night, I took my kids, now 12 and 10, to our Estate Syrah vineyard to pick and taste a few grapes.  A full moon illuminated our Bell Tower against the Mayacamas Mountain Range—a stunning sight and my favorite view here at St. Francis.  We stood in the moonlit vineyard and spoke of harvests past, and of what may someday become of these grapes we will soon pick. 

For 30 years, people have come to St. Francis for a host of reasons: to see the mountain vineyards where we hand-pick our grapes, to taste legendary dry-farmed Zinfandel, to be spoiled by our Executive Chef, to meet the winemaker called the “Master of Merlot,” or to see our first of its kind solar energy system on the roof of our cellar and barrel building. 

But most people tell us they come here for just one reason: to taste what they have heard are special wines.  That pleases us greatly, never more so than during Harvest.  But for now, back to the grapes, and to a 2009 vintage that is more than simply real: it is, finally, forever ours.   

All of us at St. Francis wish you the very best, at this and every Harvest.  Happy 30^th Anniversary St. Francis Winery!